Wednesday, 25 November 2015

"My Favorite Docs" has graduated from the sidebar to its own permanent post. Being the avid documentary film fan that I am and always have been, I'll be adding eclectic discoveries as I go along. If you're looking for off-the wall, weird and wonderful docs of all genres, styles and subjects, you've come to the right place. Please check back for regular updates. You won't be disappointed!

Forged by the Gods (2017) - 60 mins. A study of artificial metallic objects dating back hundreds of thousands of years including mysterious metal spheres that defy the laws of physics and an ancient wedge that has left historians baffled. Ancient Aliens Season 12. The Akashic Records (2017) - 60 mins. A look at brain waves during sleep meditation to observe the physical changes in the brain during a phenomena known as Akashic Records. Ancient Aliens Season 12.The Majestic 12 (2017) - 60 mins. The study of a top secret within the U.S. government called the Majestic 12. Scientists, government officials and military elite investigate reports of UFOs and supposedly examining crashed extra terrestrial craft. Ancient Aliens Season 12.UFO Conspiracy - Hunt for Truth (2017) - 120 mins. Examining the long history of allegations involving alien phenomena and their supposed government cover-ups. For the History Channel.The Alien Architects (2017) - 60 mins. A study of similar architectural marvels of the ancient world that bear striking similarities to one another, among them the pyramid complex in Giza, the Avenue of the dead pyramids in Mexico and an ancient pyramid temple in Cambodia. Ancient Aliens Season 12.The Mystery of Rudlowe Manor (2017) - 60 mins. An exploration of the possibility that files related to the history of UFO phenomenon are locked up in a manor house in Wiltshire, England countryside. Ancient Aliens Season 12.Museum Secrets - Museum Island Berlin (2010) - 60 mins. Spotlighting the Pergammon and Neues Museums in Berlin.Joy Division: Falling Up - The Full Story - (2013) (70 mins). A reissue of "Under Review". This documentary film pours new light on the Joy Division story as it reveals much previously unknown about this extraordinary collective. Directed by Christian Davies.

By All Rights (2017) (60 mins) - A look at efforts to give appropriate legal rights to whales, dolphins and porpoises. Included: the human like qualities creatures possess and the difficulties they face in dealing with many human activities. Directed by Stanley Minisian. An Earth Views Production.

Buddah - (2010) (117 mins) - Academy Award-winning filmmaker David Grubin tells the historical tale of GautamaBuddah from his initial enlightenment under a fig tree through his death around the age of 80. Narrated by Richard Gere.

Punk Revolution NYC – (2011)
(192 mins). The Velvet Underground, The
New York Dolls & the CBGBs Set. When,
in 1964, an in-house songwriter for the Pickwick label was introduced to the Welsh
viola player from avant-garde composer La Mont Young’s group, few predicted the
profound effect this coming together would have on the development of global
rock music. But before the year was
out, this unlikely had formed a band, hooked up with pop-art supreme Andy
Warhol and, 12 months on, composed and were recording a collection of songs
that many believed “started it all”.
Directed and written by Tom O’Dell.

New York Doll, The Movie - (2005) (78 Mins). Arthur "Killer" Kane of the legendary band The New York Dolls rockets to the top of the glam rock scene. Then with the death of a band member the group bottoms out and eventually splits up. Arthur disappears from the music scene and in a surprising twist of fate, becomes a devout Mormon. Produced by Ed Cunningham and Seth Lewis Gordon. Directed by Greg Whiteley.Looking for Johnny - The Legend of Johnny Thunders (2014) (98 mins). When Johnny Thunders died in New Orleans on April 23, 1991, he left behind a mystery. Though MTV and international broadsheets reported the guitarist's demise, for many in the mainstream, Thunders was perceived as an enigmatic outlaw. Written and directed by Danny Garcia.Command and Control (2017) (90 mins). An account of an experience of a Titan II missile complex in Damascus, Arkansas in 1980, that almost caused the explosion of a ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead 600 times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. Directed by Robert Kenner for PBS.Pink Floyd - The Story of Wish You Were Here (2012) (85 mins). "Wish You Were Here" has an enduring legacy, and this film tells the in-depth story of its production from the perspective of those who were there at the time. An Eagle Vision release.

Real Vikings - Ragnar and his sons (2016) (60mins). Viking actor Clive standen, series creator Michael HIrst and Viking experts uncover the real stores of Ragnar Lothbrok and his famous sons, Bjorn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless, by visiting key Viking sites in Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Scotland and England. Produced for the History Channel.

NOVA – Secrets of the Sky Tombs (2017) (60mins). The Season 44 premiere focuses on the
Himalayas which were among the last places on earth settled by humans. Scientists scale sheer cliffs and discover
rock cut tombs filled with human bones and such intriguing artifacts as gold
masks and Chinese silk. Produced by NOVA.

Secrets of the Dead – Vampire Legend (2015) (60mins). The Season 15 premiere explores the vampire
myth which if manuscripts and archeological evidence are accurate, emanated
from medieval England. The lore was
popularized by Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and still has adherence.

Soundbreaking - I Am My Music - Episode 8 (2016) (60 mins). Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead are among the featured artists in this series finale which chronicles the evolution of music consumption from records and cassettes to CDs and MP3s. Directed by Maro Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre for CBS.

Soundbreaking - Sound and Vision - Episode 7 (2016) (60 mins). Chronicling the era in which MTV forged and indelible and
inextricable link between recorded music and the newly emergent music video,
Sound and Vision considers what it means to see music as well as hear it.

Soundbreaking – The World Is Yours
– Episode 6 - (2016) (60 mins). Public
Enemy, Run DMC, The Beastie Boys and Beck are among the featured artists at how
sampling (borrowing fragments from existing recordings) created a new genre of
music. Directed by Maro Chermayeff and
Jeff Dupre for CBS.

Soundbreaking – Four On The Floor
– Episode 5 - (2016) (60 mins). Little
Richard, James Brown, The BeeGees and Beyoncé are featured in this look at the
process of building an irresistible beat.
Directed by Maro Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre for CBS.

Soundbreaking – Going Electric –
Episode 4 (2016) (60 mins). The Rolling
Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder and Devo are among the featured artists in
this look at how music was transformed by the amplification and electrification
of instruments. Directed by Maro
Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre for PBS.

The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall (2009) (94 mins). On one night in August 1961, a few railway cars and a lot of barbed wire were moved into position in Berlin, dividing East Germany from West. It was a barrier that would be extended and become increasingly more sophisticated over the 18 years of its existence. Produced by ZDF Enterprises for History. Directed by Oliver Halmburger.

Soundbreaking - The Human Instrument - Episode 3 - (2016) (60 mins). Adele, Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera are spotlighted in this look at what makes a vocal track truly great. Directed by Maro Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre for PBS.Soundbreaking - Painting With Sound - Episode 2 - (2016) (60 mins). The evolution of multi-tracking recording of which expanded the palette of such artists as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac is chronicled. Directed by Maro Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre for PBS.

Soundbreaking – The
Art of Recording – Episode 1 - (2016) (60 mins). Soundbreaking begins where a recording does –
at the intersection of inspiration and execution. There stands the enigmatic figure of the
record producer, the person charged with the critical task of both realizing an
artist’s vicision and capturing it for posterity. Directed by Maro Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre
for PBS.

Ancient Computer – (2012) (60
mins). An unremarkable lump of metal
found in a 2,000 year old shipwreck turns out to be an extraordinary
treasure: the world’s first computer. When divers first discovered the corroded
device in 1900, scientists were puzzled by its function. Written, produced and directed by Mike
Beckham. Produced for NOVA by Evan
Hadingham.

Journey Into Buddhism – Prajna Earth
(2007) (85mins). Prajna Earth visits
spiritual intersections where Buddhist and Hindu wisdom traditions merged with
the animist worship of nature, revealing a profound understanding of sacred
nature existing both in the environment and within all living beings. Director and cinematographer John Bush. Narrated by Sharon Stone.

Marley – A Film by Kevin
MacDonald – (2012) (145mins). MARLEY is
the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, legend, and the man,
from his early days to his rise to international stardom. Directed by Kevin MacDonald.

Mayan Prophecies and Crop Circles
– An Extraordinary Connection – (2010) (105 mins). Scholars and researchers have discovered an
extraordinary connection between rate ancient 6000 year old Sumerian symbols,
ancient symbols from the mysterious Mayan calendar and a group of amazing signs
and symbols found among crop circle formations believed to be extraterrestrial
in origin that are appearing in the farmlands of the English countryside. Author Luca Trovellesi Cesana, directed by
Pier Giorgio Caria for UFO TV.

Resident Alien – A Film by
Jonathan Nossiter – (1991) (85 mins).
The widely acclaimed “Resident Alien” chronicles the hilarious
adventures of cult figure Quentin Crisp, a flamboyantly eccentric Englishman
who once pursued fame across the razor sharp edges of Manhattan. Written, produced and directed by Jonathan
Nossiter.

Janis: Little Girl Blue – (2015) (105 mins) – Janis Joplin
is one of the most revered and iconic of all rock & roll singers, a tragic
and misunderstood figure who thrilled millions of listeners and blazed new
creative trails before her death in 1970 at the age of 27. With “Janis:
Little Girl Blue” Oscar-nominated director Amy J. Berg examines Joplin’s
story in depth, presenting an intimate, insightful portrait of a complicated,
driven often beleaguered artist. Written
and directed by Amy J. Berg.

1971 – (2015) (79 mins) – On
March 8, 1971, eight ordinary citizens broke into an FBI office in Media,
Pennsylvania, a town just outside Philadelphia, took hundreds of secret files,
and shared them with the public. In
doing so, they uncovered the FBI’s vast and illegal regime of spying and
intimidation of Americans exercising their First Amendment rights. Produced by Marilyn Ness and Katy Chevigny.
Produced and directed by Johanna Hamilton.

John Cage: Journeys in
Sound. A filmy by Allan Miller and Paul
Smaczny. (2012) (60:35 mins) - This documentary by Oscar-winning Director
Allan Miller and Emmy-winner Paul Smaczny pay tribute to the most fascinating
American avant-garde composer. Produced
by Paul Smaczny.

The War Game (1965) (49mins) - A documentary-style TV drama, Peter Watkins’
controversial and harrowing depiction of the effects of a nuclear attack on
England hit the headlines when it was banned on the grounds of being too
graphic and horrifying. Written and
produced by Peter Watkins.

Tony Palmer’s film of Tangerine
Dream Live at Coventry Cathedral 1975. (2007) (27 mins)- In December 1974, Tangerine Dream were
invited to play in the grand setting of Rheims Cathedral, a move certainly seen
at the time as groundbreaking. Because
of this, they were then invited to perform in the cathedrals of York, Liverpool
and Coventry. Music is from the album “Ricochet”. Starring Edgar Froese, Christopher Franke and
Peter Baumann. Directed by Tony Palmer.

Secret
Societies of Hollywood: Pursuit of Perfection - (2014) (60 mins.)A report on celebrities in pursuit of
perfection and the great lengths they will go to realize their goals, including
cutting edge surgeries, dangerous diets and other risky behavior.Produced by Prometheus Entertainment.Executive Producer Kevin Burns.

Experiments in Art and Technology and Artpix present Variations VII by John Cage. (2008) (85 mins). In 1966, ten New York artists and thirty engineers and scientists from Bell Telephone Laboratories collaborated on a series of innovative dance, music and theater performances, 9 Evenings: Theatre & Engineering, held in October at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City. Produced by Billy Kluver and Julie Martin of E.A.T. and directed by Barbro Schultz Lundestam.

Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks. (2016) (58 mins). The story of Koko the gorilla who can communicate with people via sign language due to the work of psychologist Penny Patterson, who adopted Koko in 1971 for her Ph.D assignment. Directed by Jonathan Taylor for the BBC.Spillover: Zika, Ebola and Beyond. (2016) (58 mins). Examining Zika, Ebola and Nipah and other "spillover viruses" which reside in animals and can infect humans. Included: the role human behaviors play in the spread of diseases; and what science can do to contain and prevent epidemics. A PBS production.War Journal: The Incredible World War II Escape of Major Damon"Rocky" Gause. (2016) (90 mins). Involved in the Bataan Death March and then the fall of Corregidor island, Gause and another American, in a leaky old fishing boat, travelled from the Philippine Islands all the way to Australia and the doorstep of General Douglas MacArthur, who could not believe the men survived their 159 day ordeal in the open ocean. Produced, written and directed by Tim Gray.Mirage Men – (2014) – (85
mins). For over sixty years, teams
within the US Air Force and US Intelligence agencies exploited and manipulated
beliefs about UFOs and extraterrestrial visits as part of their
counter-intelligence programs. Directed
by John Lundberg.

I Am Ali – The Man Behind The
Legend – An Intimate Portrait (2015) (1hr 52mins). I Am Ali
is told through exclusive, unprecedented access to Ali’s personal archive of
voice recordings combined with touching interviews and testimonials from his
inner circle of family and friends.
Produced by Clare Lewins, George Chignell and Greg Hobden. Written and directed by Clare Lewins. I am Chris Farley - (2015) (94 mins). I Am Chris Farley will tell the hilarious, touching and wildly entertaining story of legendary comedian Chris Farley for the first time ever - from his early days in Madison, Wisconsin and at Marquette University, through his work at the legendary Second City to his rapid rise to the top of the comedy world on "Saturday Night Live" and in hit films like "Tommy boy" and "Black Sheep".

Awake: The Life of Yogananda – (2014) (86 mins). Awake is an unconventional biography about
the Hindu swami who brought yoga and meditation to the West in the 1920s. Written and directed by Paola Di Florio and
Lisa Leeman. Produced by Peter Rader,
Paola Di Florio & Lisa Leeman.

Inside Claridge's – Part 1 of 3 (2012) (60 mins). The goings-on at Claridges, a luxury hotel in
London, are chronicled. For the BBC.

Ghost Planes and the Mystery (2014) (120 mins). Examining the disappearance of Malaysia
Airlines Flight 370. For The History
Channel.

Trumbo - (2007) - (95 mins). Trumbo is a unique film about screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and his heroic journey from Hollywood royalty to blacklisted writer to Academy Award winner. Based on the play "Trumbo" by Christopher Trumbo. Directed by Peter Askin.

Dark Star - H.R. Giger's World - (2014) (80 mins). Surrealist artist H.R. Giger (1940 - 2014) terrified audiences with his Oscar-winning monsters in Ridley Scott's ALIEN. Sci-fi, horror, music, album covers, tattoos and fetish art have been influenced by his dark, intricate paintings and sculptures depicting birth, death and sex. A film by Belinda Sallin.Soul Boys of the Western World – Spandau Ballet: The Movie (2014) (111mins). Relive the music, fashion and spirit of the
1980s via the incredible saga of the rise, fall and comeback, of New Wave legends
Spandau Ballet. Produced by Steve Dagger
and Scott Millaney and directed by George Hencken.

The History Channel’s “7 New Signs of the Apocalypse” (2016)
(1hr26mins). A study of possible
apocalyptic events threatening the planet.

The Path to Paris (2016) (20:13 mins). Paris Attacks: Did Intelligence fail in France? The Paris attacks shook the world and raised many questions we are still struggling to answer. The CBC's Terence McKenna takes a fresh look at exactly what happened.Snow Chick (2016) (60 mins).
For Nature PBS. An Emperor penguin chick isfollowed from its emergence
from the egg to when it sets out on its own.
Narrated by Kate Winslet. Produced
and directed by John Downder.

David Bowie & Lou Reed – The Thin White Duke Vs The King
of New York (2014) (107 mins). This film
charts the parallel careers of Bowie and Reed, focusing on their joint
collaborations, shared interests and other connections. Including interviews with Angie Bowie, Doug
Yule, Billy Name, Leee Black Childers, Jayne County, Jimi Lalumia, John Halsey,
Victor Bockris, Danny Fields and many others. Directed by Rodney Ascher.

Andy Warhol - A Documentary Film (2006) (4 hrs). "He was the most American of artists and the most artistic of Americans," one man later said - "so American in fact that he is almost invisible to us." Andy Warhol - a riveting and often deeply moving film portrait of the most famous and famously controversial artist of the second half of the twentieth century - is the first to explore the complete spectrum of Warhol's astonishing artistic output, stretching across five decades from the late 1940s to his untimely death in 1987. Narrated by Laurie Anderson, directed by Ric Burns and produced by Donald Rosenfeld, Daniel Wolf and Ric Burns for PBS.

David Bowie - Five Years (2013) (90 mins). A profile of the rock star examines a momentous 5-year period in his career and his continual re-invention of himself from Ziggy Stardust to The Thin White Duke, including the critically acclaimed album "Heroes". Directed by Francis Whately for PBS.The Salt of the Earth - (2015) (110 mins.) The Nature of Things with David Suzuki presents The Eagles Next Door (2016) - (60 mins). The Salt of the Earth takes us on a stunning visual odyssey as we see the world through the eyes of one of the greatest image makers of the last century - world renowned photographer Sebastiao Salgado. A film by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. The Nature of Things by David Suzuki. Eagles Next Door - (2016) (44:14 mins). We follow the unfolding story of a single breeding pair in the suburbs of Vancouver, Canada, over the course of a year. Via the social media phenomena known as "nestcams", we are able to witness the amazing life cycle and understand the adaptations they've made to be successful in the city. Red Army - (2014) (85 mins). A film by Gabe Polsky, Red Army is an inspiring true story about the Cold War played out on the ice rink, and a man who stood up to a powerful system, paving the way for generations of Russians. Presented by Werner Herzog and Jerry Weintraub.The Nature of Things hosted by David Suzuki - Call of the Baby Beluga (2016) (50 mins). One day in Quebec, a baby beluga whale washes up on a gravel beach along the St. Lawrence River. Unexpectedly, she is vigorously alive. A scientific team decides to take unusual steps to try to save her. Directed by Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm.Healing Hands (2016) (50 mins). Mykola Nyzhb, 11, lost both legs and an arm in an explosion in the Ukraine. His future looked bleak until a Canadian medical mission to the Ukraine got word of his situation. Dr. Oleh Antonyshynn tells CTV's W5 about Mykola's long road to recovery.

Secrets of Underground London (2014) (54:41 mins). On the surface, London is a buzzing, modern
metropolis - but underneath lies a secret, hidden world, all but forgotten by
the millions of people above. This
program uncovers 2,000 years of subterranean history: a world of ancient caves
and perfectly preserved Roman remains; mysterious rivers and gruesome plague
pits; impenetrable vaults and top-secret bunkers. Produced by PBS.It Takes Guts - (2015) (44:13 mins). It Takes Buts reveals fascinating new discoveries about gut microbes; our body's secret weapon the battle of the bulge. Produced by the Nature of Things with David Suzuki.Happy People - A Year in the Taiga - (2010) (94 mins). Iconic filmmaker Werner Herzog embarks on another unforgettable journey in the heart of a remote natural environment. Directed by Dimitri Vasyukov and Werner Herzog.Finding Vivian Maier (2013) (84 mins). Who is Vivan Maier? Now considered one of the 20th
century’s greatest street photographers, Viviain Maier was a mysterious nanny
who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that went unseen during her
lifetime. Written, directed and produced
by John Malouf and Charlie Siskel.

Yves Saint Laurent – The life Story of the Man Who
Re-imagined Women’s Fashion. Empire
Picture’s two episode DVD directed by David Teboul and produced by Christiane
Baute. Yves Saint Laurent: His Life and
Times follows his career, from the dazzling debut of his first line, under his
own name at age 22, to becoming one of fashion’s most creative and unorthodox
designers. (2004) (77 mins). Yves Saint Laurent: 5 Avenue Marceau.
Director David Teboul was given virtually unlimited access to the
behind-the-scenes production process of the creation of a line from initial
drawings all the way to the final climactic show. (2004) (85 mins).

Nick Cave – 20,000 Days on Earth – (2014) – (97 mins). This documentary drama is an inventive and an
intimate examination of the artistic process of musician and cultural icon Nick
Cave. Directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane
Pollard.

Rick Steves' 'Travels - Berlin. (2014) (25:05 mins). Season 8 concludes in Berlin including its trendy east side, people-friendly river front and vibrant social scene.The History Channel - Atlantis Found (1999) (2 hrs.) Examining the legend of the lost continent. Watchers of the Sky - (2015) (121 mins). The global fight against mass ethnic killings - like those in Rwanda, Kosovoo and Sudan - started with a word: genocide. Produced and directed by Edet Belzberg.Birders: The Central Park Effect - A film about birds and people (2012) (60 mins). The Central Park Effect reveals the extraordinary array of wild birds who grace Manhattan's celebrated patch of green and the equally colorful New Yorkers who schedule their lives around the rhythms of migration. Directed and written by Jeffrey Kimball.Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? (2010) (82 mins). Queen of the Sun is a profound, alternative look at the global been crisis. Produced and directed by Taggart Siegel and produced by John Betz.Emptying the Skids - (2013) (78 mins). Based on the groundbreaking essay in the New Yorker by best-selling novelist Jonathan Franzen, Emptying the Skies exposes the rampant poaching of migratory songbirds in southern Europe. Directed by Douglas Kass and Roer Kass.Peace Officer - (2015) (105 mins). This thought-provoking documentary profiles William "Dub" Lawrence, a former sheriff, who is investigating the death of his son-in-law by a SWAT team, the same SWAT team he helped establish and train 30 years prior. Produced by the CBC for the Passionate Eye.

Hippie Masala:Forever In India (2007) (93 mins).This Swiss documentary is a fascinating chronicle about aging flower
children who, after fleeing Western civilization, found a new way of life in
India.Directed by Ulrich Grossenbacher
and Damaris Luthi.

NOVA - Inside Einstein's Mind (2015) (53:07 mins). An examination of how Albert Einstein developed the theory on the nature of reality. Produced by PBS. Meteors – Fire in the Sky.(2005) (94 mins).Meteors, comets
and asteroids cross the solar system offering clues about our planet and
universe.Can they destroy
civilizations?Did they wipe out the
dinosaurs?Have they brought life to our
planet?And when will the next one
hit?Produced by A&E TV.

Sonic Magic: the Wonder and Science of Sound reveals the
historic power, promise, and potential of sound - and a strange phenomenon
called cymatics that has created a new scientific mystery - The Nature of
Things - (2015) (44:13 mins).

Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story – (2012) (98 mins). A film by
Brad Bernstein. One man’s wild, lifelong adventure of testing society’s
boundaries through his subversive art.

The CBC’s Marketplace - Best Before Dates. (2015) (22:14 mins). Grocery
insiders reveal tricks stores use to alter “Best Before Dates”. “The food may
look fabulous, but the facts will gross you out”. – Erica Johnson

The CBC’s Interrupt this Program - Beirut (2015) (21:57 mins). This is a
series that profiles artists, writers and entertainers from various cities
around the world beginning with Beirut.

The Fifth Estate – The Fire Within (2015) (42:03 mins). Women firefighters
discuss being bullied and harrassed by colleagues.

Forever Young (2015 - 60 mins). – A study of aging offers new technologies that
could potentially extend human life.

PBS - Extreme Wonders. Earth’s Natural Wonders- Part 1 of 3. (2015 – 54:53
mins). A look at life amidst the world’s extraordinary wonders starts on Mount
Everest, where the Kumba ice fall presents a danger to Sherpas. Also,
conservationists at the Grand Canyon try to help a Condor chick survive.

Bert Stern: Original Mad Man (2012) (89 mins). Bert Stern: Original Mad Man is
the definitive voyage into the life and work of one of America’s most
influential photographers. An original Madison Avenue “mad man”, Stern’s images
helped create modern advertising. Produced by Gregory McClatchy. “I’ve always
loved women. I think being a woman must be very difficult. After all, you’re
always on the inside. Men look at the outside. It’s that illusion which is so
delicious. Once you break that mask, then you are in another world.” – Bert Stern

Cobain: Montage of Heck – (2015) (145 mins). An authorized documentary on the
late musician Kurt Cobain, from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington to his
success and downfall with the grunge band Nirvana Directed by Brett Morgan.

Marina Abramovic - The Artist Is Present – (2010) (106 mins). This film is a
mesmerizing journey into the world of radical performance and an intimate
portrait of an astonishingly magnetic, endlessly intriguing woman who draws no
distinction between life and art. Directed by Matthew Akers and Jeff Dupre.

“Muscle Shoals”. (2013) (111 mins). Under the spiritual influence of the
“Singing River” as native Americans called it, the music of Muscle Shoals is
some of the most important and resonant of all time. “I’ll Take You There”,
“Brown Sugar”, “When A Man Loves a Woman”, “I Never Loved a Man the Way That I
loved You”, “Mustang Sally”, “Tell Mama”, Kodachrome”, and “Freebird” are just
a few of the tens of thousands of tracks created there. Directed by Greg
“Freddy” Camalier and starring Jimmy Cliff, Mick Jagger, Alicia Keys, Percy
Sledge, Etta James and many more.

The CBC’s Marketplace “Gene Genie”. (2015) (22:26 mins) – Gene Genie is a study
of the business of home DNA testing kits. Determining your health risks based
on the interpretation and the accuracy of your results can get complicated. Can
your DNA information be misused and disclosed, for example to insurance
companies and employers? Find out here.

Sushi - The Global Watch – (75 mins) – (2012). Directed by Mark Hall. Sushi is
a culinary favorite of millions around the world, from the heart of Texas to
the streets of Moscow. Once a Japanese delicacy, the demand for sushi has
exploded across the globe. It has also impacted the environment and drastically
depleted the supply of wild blue fine tuna in our oceans.

GMO OMG. Is this the end of real food? (85 mins) (2013). Filmmaker and concerned
father Jeremy Seifert is in search of answers about genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) and how they affect our children, the health of our planet and
our freedom of choice.

DOCOBanksy – A Film About Banksy. (59 mins) (2014). If you ask “Who is Banksy?”
then you’re asking the wrong question. Directed by Dominic Wade.

Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning. 108mins (2014). This is a film about the life, loves
and work of iconic photographer, Dorothea Lange, known for her famous image,
The Migrant Mother. Written, produced and directed by Dyanna Taylor.

Jeff Wall: In Order To Make a Picture - (2015) - 45.02 mins. The Jeff Wall
documentary showcases world renowned photographer's work. A True West Films by
Lu Nelson produced by Elizabeth Yake.

Tales from the Royal Wardrobe (PBS Program). (60 mins) (2015) – An examination
of the royal wardrobes of English monarchs included why most kings and queens
carefully choreographed their apparel and for those who did not, instances when
the results were calamitous. Directed by Nick Gillam Smith and produced by
Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd.

Season 1, Episode 1 of “Man on Earth - The Triumph of the Homo Sapien”. (60
mins) - (2009). In this episode, Tony examines how a number of African
ancestors were saved from certain death when global warming changed the area
from arid desert to lush savannah and how in turn this led to the populating of
what is now Europe. Directed by Tom Stubberfield.

Codebreaker – The Story of Alan Turing (2011) – (81 mins). He changed the
world, but the world rejected him. Codebreaker tells the remarkable and tragic
story of Alan Turing, one of the 20th century’s most important people.

PBS’ Secrets of Her Majesty’s Secret Service – Lift the Veil of Secrecy on MI6.
(2014) (60mins). This film goes back in time and behind the scenes to look at
some of the world’s most calculated and delicately executed operations.

Serving the Royals (2013) (60 mins). A look at the work done by servants at
Britain's Royal Palace.Devo - The Complete Truth About De-Evolution (1993) – Now the complete truth
can be told. A documentary of 20 Devo music videos, rare performance footage
and tons of extras.

Royal Scandals – (2013) (60 mins). The CBC’s Passionate Eye takes a look at
scandals involving the British Royal Family.
What the Bleep do we know? (2004) – 108 mins. Part documentary, part story and
animation, this film produced and directed by William Arntz, Frank Vicente and
Betsy Chasse is about a divorced photographer as she tumbles down a
metaphysical rabbit hole. Her mind-bending voyage through the worlds of science
and spirituality includes revelations by quantum physics experts, playful
animation, and even a conversation with a wise 35,000-year-old being.
Ultimately, her perception of reality is turned inside out, and the meaning of
life becomes clear.

The Punk Singer – A Film about Kathleen Hanna (2013) – 83 mins. Directed by
Sini Anderson and produced by Tamra Davis, “The Punk Singer” takes viewers on a
fascinating tour of contemporary music and offers a never-before-seen view into
the life of the fearless leader of the punk band Bikini Kill’s
Kathleen Hanna.

The World Wars (Trial by Fire) - (2014) – (60 mins) – The History Channel. An
assassination sparks a global conflict in the opener of this series examining
World War I and World War II from the perspective of powerful leaders who were
involved in the fighting.

The World Wars (The Price of Glory) (2014) – (60 mins) – The History Channel.
Germany’s economy collapses following the end of World War I. Adolf Hitler
begins his rise to power.

The World Wars: Extended (The Storm Explodes). (2014) – (60 mins) – The History
Channel. Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler form a pact. Hitler invades Poland.

The World Wars (Never Surrender) - (2014) – (60 mins) – The History Channel. World
War II breaks out in the series finale. The World Wars: Extended (Peace at
Last). (2014) – (60 mins) – The History Channel. Allied forces invade Normandy
in the series finale. Later, Adolf Hitler commits suicide.

Life in a day – (2011) (90 mins) –Director Kevin McDonald and producer Ridley
Scott compile footing from over 80,000 Youtube videos in order to present a
fascinating snapshot of life around the globe on July 24, 2010.

Fukushima – Inside Japan’s Nuclear Meltdown – (Feb 2012) (54:40 mins) – PBS
documentary for Frontline. The desperate days after the Fukushima disaster,
told by those who were there.

Stonehenge Uncovered – The Nature of Things – (2014) ( 60 mins). Directed by
Jeremy Turner. Stonehenge is examined using radar technology and modern
scanning equipment to uncover hidden structures beneath the World Heritage site
that surrounds it.

Weather Gone Wild - (2014) - (60 mins) The study of intense an unpredictable
weather and how best to adapt to it. How to lessen the impact of climate change.
Directed by Melanie Wood, written by Helen Slinger and Melanie Wood and
produced by Sue Ridout for Dreamfilm Productions in association with CBC-TV and
Doc Zone.

A Fierce Green Fire – The Battle for a Living Plant (2012) – (101 mins) -
Written and directed by Mark Kitchell. Excellent documentary on an exploration
of the environmental movement - grassroots and global activism spanning fifty
years from conservation to climate change.

Autopsy: The Last Hours of Anna Nicole Smith – (2014) – (60 mins) – Directed by
James Tovell and produced by Duncan Bulling. A tale of hard living and hard
luck.

The Last Secrets of 9/11 - (2014) - (60 mins) - The Passionate Eye - A study of
the large scale forensic recovery operations undertaken in the aftermath of the
9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City. Included are interviews with family
members of victims who have received fragments of their loved ones.

Inheriting Trouble - The Estate of Andy Warhol - (2012) - 42 mins. On February
22, 1987, the "Leonardo Da Vinci of Madison Avenue" dies unexpectedly
after undergoing a routine gall bladder operation. He leaves behind an immense
fortune and the overwhelming task of appraising his estate which is valued
between $95M and $900M. The claws are out in this jaw-dropping documentary! A
must see!

The People vs. O.J. Simpson: What the Jury Never Heard - (2014). On the 20th
anniversary of the O.J. Simpson double murder, NBC’s Dateline provides new
insights into this case in a compelling and revealing two hour documentary.

Venus and Serena – (2012) – 100 mins – Produced and directed by Maiken Baird
and Michelle Major. Music by Wyclef Jean. Venus and Serena takes an unfiltered
look into the remarkable lives of the greatest sister-act professional tennis
has ever seen.

The Wall – A World Divided – (2010) - 60 mins – Produced, written and directed
by Eric Stange and narrated by Joe Morton. This film explores the lives of
ordinary citizens who found themselves caught in the extraordinary politics of
the Cold War.

Canada’s Restaurant Secrets – (2014) – 45:13 mins - CBC’s Marketplace –
Produced and directed by Virginia Smart. Canadian restaurants are inspected and
you’ll be surprised at what they discover!

Climate Change: Hot Times in the City – (2014) – 45:08 mins. The CBC’s The
Nature of Things with David Suzuki. Produced and directed by Jerry and Bette
Thompson. Examining the effects of climate change in Vancouver, Toronto and
Halifax and the toll it is taking on its inhabitants.

Playing God with Planet Earth – (2011) – 45:08 mins – Doc Zone – Scientists are
experimenting with radical schemes to cool the planet. Will these experiments
save us or be a form of technological suicide?

Wild Canada: Episode 1 – The Eternal Frontier (2013) – 44:46 mins – The Nature
of Things with David Suzuki produced by the CBC and directed by Jeff Turner.
The first of this 4-episode series explores Canada’s unique ecosystems from its
eastern boreal forest, across the prairies, to the Pacific ocean and the Arctic
tundra. Beautifully filmed and a must see for all nature lovers.

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap – (2012) – 111 mins. Directed by Ice-T
and directed by Paul Toogood. The history of rap music is discussed with Ice-T
and the rap legends he interviews.

MDNA World Tour – (2013 Boy Toy, Inc.) – 1:51:02 - Produced by Madonna and
directed by Danny Tull and Stéphanie Sennour. Madonna raises the bar and them
some during her live performance at the American Arena in Miami, Florida during
the North American leg of her MDNA tour.

Supervolcano: Yellowstone’s Fury – (2013) – 45:10 mins - Produced by the CBC’s
Doc Zone. There will be a very large-scale super volcanic eruption from
Yellowstone National Park. The question is not if it will happen, but when.

Power Surge – (2011) – 60 mins – A NOVA Production by Hamilton Land &
Cattle, Inc. for WGBH-Boston. Written and produced by Doug Hamilton. Are we
finally on the brink of a clean energy revolution?

Up Against the Wall (CBC Doc Zone) (2009) 52 mins. Directed by Eileen
Thalenberg and produced in association with the CBC. This documentary focuses
on the wall separating Israel and the West Bank, the wall between the U.S. and
Mexico and the walls that protect fortress Europe.

Legendary Sin Cities – Paris, Berlin, Shanghai – (2006) 3½ hrs – Directed by
Ted Remerowski and Marrin Canell and produced by Demi-Monde Productions Ltd. in
association with the CBC. Cities where art and culture mingled with corruption
and decadence.

The Mystery of the Hope Diamond – Smithsonian Channel (2010) USA. Directed by
Mark Radice and narrated by Kim Basinger. An intriguing look at the secrets,
the legends and the curse of the extraordinary Hope Diamond.

Brian Eno: The Man who fell to earth (2012) – 162 mins - Directed by Ed Haynes.
First ever documentary focusing on the life, career and music of Brian Eno
during the 70s. With John Hassell and David Toop.

Last Call at the Oasis - (2011) (105 mins) - Written and directed by Jessica Yu
- Starring Erin Brokovich-Ellis. A powerful argument for why the global water
crisis will be the central issue facing our world this century.

The Art of the Steal - (2009) (101 mins) - Directed by Don Argott - Documentary
that follows the struggle for control of Dr. Albert C. Barnes' 25 billion
dollar collection of modern and post-impressionist art.

The Rape of Europa - (2006) - (117 mins) - Directed by Richard Berge, Bonni
Cohen & Nicole Newnham - The story of Nazi Germany's plundering of Europe's
great works of art during World War II and Allied efforts to minimize the
damage.

Ansel Adams - A Film by Ric Burns - (2002) - (100 mins) - Written and directed
by Ric Burns - A biographical documentary film tracing the life of the American
photographer Ansel Adams who was known for his landscape images of the American
West.

Shattered Ground - (2013) - (60 mins) - Directed by Leif Kaldor in association
with The Nature of Things - Fracking, while a bonanza for gas and oil
production, is caught in a backlash of suspicion and alarm. What's happening
underground it seems can shatter more than just rock.

Vanishing of the Bees (2009) - (87 mins) - Directed by George Langworthy and
Maryam Henein. This documentary takes a piercing investigative look at the
economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide disappearance
of the honeybee.

Asteroids: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly (2010)- (50 mins) - Written and
directed by Dan Kendall for the BBC. Will a giant asteroid strike our planet?

Dog Dazed - (2013) - (60 mins) - Directed by Vancouver filmmaker Helen Slinger
for Doc Zone - This doc is about the close, symbiotic relationship between dogs
and their best friends, us.

Windfall - (2010) - (60 mins) - Directed by Laura Israel. A town is split over
the pros and cons of wind turbines.

Jane's Journey - (2011) - (111 mins) - Directed by Lorenz Knauer. A beautiful
tribute to Dr. Goodall's accomplishments, a celebration of her spirit and an
inspiration for all (Jennifer Merin).

Surviving Progress (2011) – (86 mins) – Written by Ronald Wright and directed
by Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks. This mind-expanding documentary bristles with
provocative insights and probing questions about humanity and the state of the
world (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times).

Simon Wiesenthal: Freedom Is Not a Gift from Heaven (1994) - (60 mins)
-Directed by Willy Lindwer. The world famous Nazi hunter tells his story for
the first time.

Friday, 13 November 2015

You're invited to join Zilon Lazer on Wednesday, November 18th at 6:00 p.m. for the grand opening of his new show "Syncope" at Galerie d'Art LOFT located in the heart of Old Montreal. The exhibition runs from November 19th through to the 29th. Don't miss it!

Sunday, 1 November 2015

When MRC releases a new compilation, I’m not only eager to listen to the new music but to look at the compilation
and artist cover art designs, which reflect each song and say a lot about the tone
which the release is conveying.From a minimalist,
high contrast black and white photo, a blurred selfie, an obscure close-up, double exposure images, computer-generated collages, a photograph of an original painting, an abstract
visual effect, a live band shot or a studio chill pic, each individual cover art has its own unique
artistic technique and musical message.Here
are some recent designs which have caught my eye.

It's been awhile since I've done a feature on MidnightRadio Compilation's wonderful cover artworks, the last one being in December 2014, so here goes!

Alien Pop Band - Lucky Day

Bad News From Cosmos - Night on a Persian Carpet

Bloody Blue - UNAUTHORIZED FREAKS 2.666 Pt 1

Carnal State - Release Date

Elypixa - No Beginning No End

Flaub - Antimateria

Human - Beautiful Misery

Morandi Experiment - Minus Two

P'Like - Temperance

Pax Loyu - poi

Phrozenlight - Japanese Playdoll

Pk Jazz Collective - Into Your Eyes

Projekt Luty - Pagak

Roses and Exile - Vulture

TOTAL E.T. - Corporate Security

MidnightRadio 33 - Julia Zimt

Us As Effigies - Brown Rhine

Copyright of images remains vested with its respective owner. Images reproduced here are permitted with the express permission of Glasklinge Zeitenlicht on behalf of MidnightRadio Compilation.

Me Moi Mir

I am a self-produced electronic music composer and musician with a passion for electronic ambient experimental avant-garde music and have been writing music since 1978. I create and record soundscapes and voice using various recording devices, mono/poly analog and digital synths, vocoders, tape loops, transistor and short wave radio waves, ethnic and handmade instruments. Music is my “raison d’être” as I continue to explore and push the boundaries of experimental electronica by creating my unique music whether in studio or out in the field.Unless as otherwise specified, all photos and text copyright Vava Vol 2018. All rights reserved.

Notice and Contact Information

For information on obtaining a non-exclusive license including Copyright Fair Use, to use my image, voice, written texts, photos, music and videos for business-related or any other purposes requiring my express written permission, you may contact me at vavaland@live.ca. Thank you.